Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Community Band's Fall Concert - A Cornucopia of good Music




             There will be something to please a variety of musical tastes when the Calaveras Community Band presents its annual fall concert under the direction of conductor Mic Harper on Sunday, November 2, 3 p.m. in the Dr. Elliot A. Smart Performing Arts Center at Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp.
            For jazz aficionados there will be Five to Go a quintet for saxophones and band. Latin music lovers will be excited by Fuego del Alma featuring Larry Mangili on trumpet.  The urge to dance will accompany Johann Strauss's polka schnell Thunder and Lightening.
            Other works to be performed include The Walking Frog, a circus two-step by Karl King, the lively Zampa Overture by Louis Heold, and Leroy Anderson's Irish themed The Last Rose of Summer.  Several other numbers from the band’s extensive repertoire will complete the program.    
 
Everyone, young and old, is encouraged to be in attendance as the band wraps up a successful musical summer in the beautiful parks of Murphys, Valley Springs, and San Andreas. There is no admission charge, but donations will be welcomed to help support the band. 
            Harper cautions that Saturday, the day before the performance, will mark the end of Daylight Savings Time so people should check their clocks.  “We would hate to have you miss the concert.”
The Calaveras Community Band traces it history to the days following the Gold Rush.  Men would brush away the grime of the mines, put on a uniform, take up their musical instruments and entertain the crowds at many public functions.  Creating music brought extra meaning to their lives and provided a counterpoint to the stresses of the day.
In those times they were known as the Angels Camp Miners Band, the Murphys Independent Cornet Band, or by a dozen other names.
Today the Calaveras Community Band carries on this honored tradition.  The age range has been expanded.  Women are now welcomed and respected.  The military uniforms have been put aside.  But the spirit remains the same – people who love to play music performing for those who enjoy listening.  And together they create a relaxing and enriching environment. 
            “We greatly appreciate the enthusiastic audiences who attended our concerts this summer in Murphys Community Park and Turner Park in San Andreas” says Harper. “The musicians had a wonderful time playing jazz, swing, and summertime favorites.
            “We are grateful to Mountain Man Catering for donating proceeds from the July 4th barbeque to the band. We also thank the Murphys Community Club for allowing us to spend our summers playing music in Murphys Park, Save Mart for its donations through its S.H.A.R.E.S. program, and Angels Food and Sierra Hills Markets for donating through their Community Club cards.
            “We continue to look for new musicians to join us, or if you have an instrument you no longer use, please donate it to the band so we can put it in the hands of student musicians who need an instrument.”
            For information, contact Carol Betz 728-9057 or Mic Harper 533-0941.